The Dragon-Tamer

27

Aemma sometimes missed King's Landing; she missed her room and her old routine. But Aemma more so missed when it was just her mother and herself. Aemma loved her siblings, there was no denying that, but it was hard being the eldest seven children.

She often felt overlooked because she was different from her brothers and sisters. Aemma wasn't a Velaryon, nor did she have Targaryen blood. She could speak the language of Old Valyria almost fluently, but that didn't erase the fact that she was still a Tyrell; a rose amongst dragons.

A knock pulled Aemma out of her thoughts as she stood from her bed, "Come in!"

The door opened and in walked Helaena, followed by her handmaiden, "Hello, cousin!"

"Helaena!" Aemma greeted her cousin, "I have missed you!"

Aemma waited for Helaena to pull her into an embrace, remembering the princess's boundaries. Helaena did not hesitate to happily hug her favorite cousin, placing a kiss on Aemma's cheek.

"It's been far too long, Aemma," Helaena said as she pulled back, "I heard your mother is expecting another child!"

Aemma nodded, "Yes, she is quickly approaching her due date; Father has been waiting on her hand and foot."

"As Aunt Feyre deserves," Helaena laughs and sits on the edge of Aemma's bed, "But enough of that; I want to know how you are doing."

Aemma shrugs and sits next to Helaena, "There is not much to tell, I am afraid. Mother still has me training as much as she can, and I am making headway with my magic."

"That is good to hear, cousin," Helaena looked at her meeting, "Dyana, could you please have some tea brought up for us?"

Dyana bowed her head, "Of course, Princess."

Dyana walks out, leaving Aemma and Helaena alone. The girls sat in silence for a moment before bursting out into laughter.

"Why are we laughing?" Helaena chuckled out.

Aemma wipes a tear from her eye, "I do not know...I have really missed you though."

"It's been...different since you left," Helaena stared off into the distance for a beat, but shook herself out of it, "Aegon and Aemond are still annoying as ever."

"That's not surprising," Aemma smiled, "But what has been different?"

"Beware the snake that poisons the rose garden."

Aemma's brows furrow, "What does that mean? ...Helaena?"

The princess's eyes were glossed over as she stared down at the carpet. Aemma felt worry seep into her skin and she shook her cousin's shoulder. The sudden movement caused Helaena to come back to reality.

"I'm sorry," Helaena's voice grew smaller, "Did I do it again?"

Aemma was about to ask her what she meant by "again" when a knock was heard on the door. The door opened and Aemma smiled as she saw her mother walk in.

"Hello, girls," Feyre greeted them with a warm smile, "I hope that I am not interrupting anything."

Helaena stood up to hug her aunt, "Of course not, Auntie! I have been waiting to see you all day!"

"Helaena, my sweet dreamer," Feyre placed a kiss on the side of her head, "Have you been keeping my Aemma company?"

"Helaena has been a saint to put up with me for so long," Aemma jested, leaning the wood tower attached to her bed frame.

"Nonsense, Aemma," Feyre laughed, "You're perfect, my girl."

It was moments like these that made  Aemma's doubts fade to the back of her mind. Moments when Aemma was reminded that Feyre Stark was her mother, her best friend.